Sex education is a constant topic of debate for parents. What age do we start to talk to our children about the facts of life? Is it the parents' or the school's responsibility to provide sex education?
The recent change in government meant that Labour's plans to make sex education compulsory for all were scrapped, but the National Curriculum still advocates teaching children about their bodies and reporoduction from around five years old.
Teaching about bodies is one thing, but what about contraception?
A primary school in the US has come under fire for its plans to offer condoms to any pupils who want them, without their parents' permission, meaning that even those as young as five could have access to contraception.
Here's how ABC news reported the story:
Starting in the Autumn term, children from kindergarten (age five or six) to fifth grade (age 10 to 11) students at Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Massachusetts will be able to obtain condoms by asking school counsellors.
I know children are growing up earlier these days, and perhaps having sex earlier than their parents might like, but as the mother of a ten-year-old I find this astonishing.
Why would children of this age might have any need of a condom? Where is the education and support for these children?
What do you think about this? Can you understand why a school might think it wise to give condoms to children as young as this? Leave a comment below
Source [ParentDish US]